At first I didn't get it. And I must admit it seemed very strange, but now I think I understand. This may be the wave of the future and could save our sport.

The concept, as I understand it, is to fish flies without hooks. This accomplishes several worthwhile goals. No fish get 'hurt'; with all the hoopla surrounding blood sports lately, this may save us from the 'antis' and yet still allow us to pursue our favorite pastime.

It's simple, really. Few of us actually want to keep and eat the fish. We are just there for the excitement of the chase. So, leaving out the hook lets us stalk our prey, present our offering, and receive the positive feedback and excitement of the strike, without harm to the quarry.

Also, we can eliminate dealing with fish slime, trying to remove hooks, and worrying about reviving tired fish. We simply count each strike as a win, and keep fishing.

Expensive stocking programs would no longer be needed. AND, all the worry about overfishing and managing our declining wild populations of fish would be eliminated.

The cost of fly tying would also be lowered, of course. Good hooks have become increasingly expensive. You can tie hookless flies on cheap pieces of bent wire, head pins from the jewelry making section of the craft store, even cut up safety pins.

Tippet strength would no longer be an issue. You could fish incredibly light and virtually invisible lines, thus increasing your odds of that adrenalin causing strike.

Rods could be lighter. The only consideration would be the weather conditions and the size of your flies. It's much more fun to fish with as light a rod as possible.

It would save quite a bit of money on gear. No drags needed would mean reels would be much cheaper. You would not need a net, de hookers, creels, who knows. Probably could get away with fewer rods, too.

All in all, I think this is where the sport is headed. Some short sighted folks will baulk, but eventually everyone will see the beauty and simplicity of the concept.

Who'll join me in this?

Buddy

04-01-2014, 04:41 PM

hap

I'll stick to stickin' 'em, thanks...

04-01-2014, 04:53 PM

James Smith

Sorry Buddy, but when fishing a sub surface pattern hookless just won't get it for me. A slight tug on the line (or perhaps no tug at all) and it's over. I'm afraid that I enjoy the fight as much or more than the take. Perhaps hookless will catch on (pun intended) in very limited situations where fishing for rare or exotic fish, but for bass and bream or for stocked trout for that matter, I don't think it will work. Just my 2 cents worth...

Jim Smith

04-01-2014, 04:55 PM

chewydog

What hap said.

Quote:

Some short sighted folks will baulk, but eventually everyone will see the beauty and simplicity of the concept.

Does that make us "short sighted"?

04-01-2014, 05:03 PM

Royce

Happy APRIL FOOLS DAY to you as well!!!

04-01-2014, 05:10 PM

ScottP

Buddy,

I remember John Scott had a thread along a similar vein. I fish dries mostly, C&R always, and I can sorta/kinda see how this might appeal; but (big but), if the fish of a lifetime comes up and hits and all I can do is watch it mouth it and swim away, I can pretty much guarantee the first thing out of my mouth won't be "Oh well, I was going to let it go anyway" :)

Regards,
Scott

04-01-2014, 05:18 PM

kglissmeyer

Great one Buddy! You win the April Fool's contest in my book.:razz:

04-01-2014, 06:08 PM

James Smith

Buddy,

You hooked me on that one!

Jim Smith

04-01-2014, 06:34 PM

NJTroutbum

Good April Fools! I believe that would change the sport to something other than "fishing". And I would have to "opt out'.